Cops, Deputy Chief Under Investigation After Homeless Attack

SANFORD, Fla. — More Sanford police officers are under investigation for how they handled a violent attack on a homeless man, WFTV found out Thursday night. The list of officers includes the department's acting deputy chief of police, Captain Jerry Hargrett.

Justin Collison, who is the son of a Sanford police officer, was not arrested for knocking out a homeless man until after Eyewitness News broke the story about a month after the attack.

The officers included in the internal investigation didn't all respond to the scene where the beating happened in December, but they all played some type of role in the investigation.

Along with Captain Jerry Hargrett, the list of officers includes Officer John Walsh, Officer Zack Glenn, Officer Donald Flowers, Officer Samuel McNeil, Officer Tim Smith, Sergeant Anthony Raimondo, Lieutenant Mike Taylor and Investigator Rebecca Villalona.

Captain Jerry Hargrett was the first to respond when WFTV broke the story that Collison had not been arrested for the violent attack.

"There are some things that maybe we could've done differently out there," Hargrett said.

Monday, Hargrett attended a meeting with the NAACP and said Collison should have been arrested on the spot.

"The officers were wrong," Hargrett said. "How many times you want me to say it? They violated policy; they're going to be dealt with."

Now, an investigation will determine whether Hargrett did his job.

WFTV uncovered Police Chief Brian Tooley knew about the video of the attack three days after the incident. He forwarded the YouTube link to Hargrett who then sent it to investigator Rebecca Villalona to review.

Eyewitness News checked the personnel files of all nine officers and discovered good evaluations, commendations and no disciplinary actions.

That includes Sergeant Anthony Raimondo. Last year, a judge accused Raimondo of making an illegal traffic stop and lying about it. He was cleared of perjury and misconduct charges.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Steve Harriett is running the department. The nine officers will remain on active duty during the investigation.

Collison is expected in court March 1.

WFTV